M54.31 Sciatica, right side

ICD-10-CM Code M54.31: Sciatica, right side

ICD-10-CM code M54.31 specifically identifies sciatica on the right side of the body. Sciatica involves pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg due to pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve. This diagnostic terminology record is active and classifies the concept as a sign or symptom. 1 3

Plain-language overview

Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg, and it occurs when there is pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve, with pain most often occurring on one side of the body. 3

The term sciatica refers only to symptoms and not to the underlying cause of the symptoms or the specific medical diagnosis, meaning the underlying cause must be identified and treated. 3 4

What this code represents

The ICD-10-CM code M54.31 is the specific diagnostic terminology record used for sciatica on the right side, and it currently holds an active record status within the terminology system. 1 5

The M54.31 terminology record lists M54.3 — Sciatica as its parent concept and assigns it the semantic type of Sign or Symptom within the classification system. 1

Coding details

The ICD-10 code structure specifies laterality for sciatica, utilizing M54.31 for the right side and M54.32 for the left side to distinguish the affected body side. 6

When a patient presents with lumbago alongside sciatica on the right side, the coding shifts to the M54.4x family, specifically mapping to M54.41 instead of M54.31. 6

Documentation considerations

Accurate ICD-10-CM coding for M54.31 plays a major role in managing billing, insurance claims, and patient outcomes by ensuring the right-sided sciatica is properly documented. 5

Clinical documentation for right-sided sciatica must specify laterality to align with coding structure requirements, distinguishing right-sided sciatica from other specified types of back pain. 6

What the sources add

While M54.31 classifies right-sided sciatica as a sign or symptom, clinical guidelines describe management options including exercise programmes, manual therapy, and epidural injections of local anaesthetic and steroid. 1 2

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM M54.31 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Sciatica: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — medlineplus.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Sciatica Symptoms and Causes — drtonymork.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. 2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code for Sciatica, Right Side — sprypt.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
6. Back Pain ICD-10 Codes: Complete 2026 Guide for Accurate Billing | MedSole RCM — medsolercm.com; accessed 2026-07-27.